By Ken Ebbens, Flash Radio Presenter
This was the first time I had reviewed a tribute artist for the second time, after a two-year gap, at the Guildhall, Portsmouth, where visibility and sound quality is excellent wherever you sit. However, it is always wise to avoid that cardinal sin of thinking a show starts at 8pm when it was 730pm, hence I was 10 minutes late but only missed an introductory medley from The ELO Tribute Show; this did not spoil the subsequent 23 songs over nearly 2 and a half hours
An accomplished 8-person group with drummer Dave, keyboardist Raymond and string trio Lara (lead violin), Amy (second violin) and Selena (cello) laying down an understated yet vibrant foundation for bassist Chris, (new) guitarist Liam and the mastermind of it all, Brian, to reverently and lovingly honour the 50-year ground-breaking career of Jeff Lynne and ELO
The octet was supplemented by an excellent light show, lasers used sparingly for maximum effect, a video screen supplementing each song plus Silvester the spaceship above them. Dave (drums) behind a Perspex screen/box seemed a bit of a throwback to Covid days but in no way affected the music
The sound was very even, not too loud, with plenty of families present with Brian’s frequent stories very mild but funny, but also poignant when he singles out bopper Marina (aged 8) later for hope for the future, that she was mouthing all the words and represents those so important to keep the legacy and memory of ELO’s music alive for decades to come…well said
The band were clearly having fun; at the start Brian invited the audience to dance on the sides, take as many pics and videos as they want but to remember to put filter to slim, so self-deprecating. He proved he could not do accents, his German story to prove that the band can really sing although the local German critic thought that he, Brian, was rubbish. Lovely story
The first half was a build up with some not so familiar songs, some ballads, stand-outs for me Diary of Horace Wimpole (ELO’s “spam song”), Handle With Care (a great version of the Travellin’ Wilburies song with Lee vocalising similar, to me, of the great Roy Orbison), Rockarola and Hold on Tight
The second half much more familiar territory with hit after hit, including my favourites of the evening, 10538 Overture, Wild West Hero (a favourite of Brian’s childhood).Last Train to London, Turn to Stone, Mr Blue Sky with storming encore versions of Don’t Bring Me Down and Roll Over Beethoven
A family-friendly two+ hours of well-known and not so, expertly played with humility and honour, for all to join in whether singing, dancing or simply smiling
Worth seeing a second time…absolutely; worth seeing a third time in the future, absolutely, you can never get enough of great songs played like this. Highly recommended